Is equality a human right?

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” – 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Without the concept of equality, the human rights framework loses its ethical power. If we truly intend to protect universal human rights, there is no question that we must work to protect these equally for every individual, in every culture. In fact, if human rights are not upheld equally, they could no longer be considered “human rights.” IfE works from the premise that equality – of social, economic, and political status – is, in itself, a fundamental human right that underlies and supports all the other rights. And, while we must work protect equal freedom from discrimination, arbitrary arrest and detention, slavery, torture, and constraints on speech and movement, we must also ensure equal rights to the social, economic, political, and natural resources necessary to meet human needs sustainably and support human well-being, freedom, justice, and peace.